Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-07-05

|
on those same sheets that he had but a nc
ment ago quilted.
Already he had the haggard visage, tn
stiffness of those who will move no more
Then he was afraid of the bed, and in orde
to avoid the sight of it passed into the smol,
ing room, and, lighting cigar, began 4
pace up and down. He was cold, and, goin:
to the bell, was about to summon his val
but stopped, his hand upon the cord-t.l
man would know that he was afraid. Il
made the fire himself. his hands trenholm.
nervously. His head swan, his thought
were wandering, and feeling Of uncertainty
Of weakness, invaded his limbs as if lie hac
been drinking.
And be asked himself incessantly, 'Wha
must do. What will become Of mer' Il.
Went to the window and drew the curtains
day was breaking, a summer day, and th.
glowing heavens bathed in a sea Of rosy
color the city, the walls and the roofs, thi
food Of light the caress Of the rising sun t.
the awakening world. And with this light 6
sudden gay and cheerful hope took possession
Of the vicomte's heart Was he mad to al
|, low himself to he thus terrorized by fear
when nothing had been decided upon, and
even before his seconds had seen those of thi:
George Lamill He made his toilet and went
| out with a firm STEP
He repeated to himself as he went along:
Il must be emphatic, very emphatic, tc
| prove that am not afraid"
His seconds, the marquis and the colonel,
| placed themselves at his service, and after an
| energetic handshaking discussed the condi-
| tons.
1T is to be a serious duel of course.- said
the colonel
sVery," replied the vicomte
pistols to be the weaponss7
Precisely; pistols to be the weapons; PAGES.
twenty; fire at the word, the arm to be ele-
waited instead Of lowered, and an exchange
Of balls until one or the other receives a
mortal wound
Good admirablel- cried the seconds in a
breath; you have chosen well; the chances
are all in your favor" and they parted. De
Signoles returning to his home again to await
them His agitation, for time allayed, now
momentarily increased. He felt in his arms,
his legs, his breast, sort Of shuddering,
continuous vibration; he was unable to remain
in one place either sitting or standing. His
tongue was dry, and chung as if glued to the
sticky palate He tried to breakfast, but was
unable to eat. He had heard that drink
would give courage, and he ordered a carafe
OF rum, and drank without stopping six little
glasses full A heat like fire ran through his
blood, followed by dulling of the senses.
I've found the means now" be thought:
things go better"
But at the end of an hour the carafe was
empty, and his agitation had returned in
tolerably. He felt mad desire to roll upon
the floor, to scream and bite! Evening fell.
al no hall ,,,l,. &
sitting that he had scarcely strength enough
to rise and receive his seconds. He was afraid
to speak to them-to say Bon jour- or a
single word-they would discover all from
the alteration in his voice
swell, all is arranged said the colonel
cheerfully, according to the conditions
named Your adversary at first claimed the
choice of weapons, but soon yielded He has
accepted everything and his seconds are
officers
You will excuse us if we run away at
once" the marquis added; 1--WE have still a
thousand things to arrange and surgeon to
secure, as you know the combat ceases cnly
after serious wound, and balls sometimes
play the strangest tricks. The ground must
also be near house where you can be carried
if necessary; however, we have several hours
before u.s."
The vicomte again murmured his thanks.
and the seconds departed.
Once more alone, it seemed to him that he
would go mad.
The servant having lighted the lamps, he
seated himself at the table to write letters
and his ante norton wishes, but, having
traced at the top of the page, This is my
last will and testament" he got up with a
shudder and moved away. He was incapable
OF writing connected sentence, of taking
or of deciding anything. He had
to fight; be was unable to escape that How
ever, he did not wish to escape it; he desired,
as he had always desired ann intended, to
fight to the end. Nevertheless he knew well
that, in spite Of every effort of his mind, all
the application of his will, be- would be unable
to keep up the strength necessary to take him
to the place Of meeting.
He sought to picture to himself the combat, |
his attitude and the bearing of his adversary.
From time to time his teeth chartered in his |
mouth with an audible noise Taking up the
dueling code Of Chateau Willard, he en-
to read. After this he wondered if |
his adversary had ever fought before. Was
he of rank, and how could he find outa He |
recalled the Baron de Fau1's book upon noted |
duelists and ran through it from end to end. |
The name of George Lamil was not there.
Still, he must be good shot, else be would |
never have accepted so readily the deadly |
pistol and the conditions.
He opened in passing a box of silver |
ebony placed upon his table. and. |
taking up the pistol lying on the cushion, put |
himself in position and raised his arm. But |
be shook from head to foot-the weapon |
pointed in every direction
1T is impossiblet" he cried at last, .inpos- !
sible-I cannot fight in this condition. and |
turning the dangerous toy be gazed into its |
little hole, so small, so dark. |
and yet charged with death. He thought of |
the dishonor before him, the w1isperings at |
the clubs, the smiles in the salons, the scorn |
Of the women, the sneers of the papers and |
the insults thrown upon towards With |
bis eyes still fastened upon the pistol. it |
seemed to him that fame suddenly leaped |
from the muzzle-he saw that it was loaded, |
and he found In this q strange, inexpIicable |
Joy.
If on the ground he had not the calm and |
cool exterir IL was necessary he should have |
in the face of an adversary, he would be lost |
forever, suliied, branded with infamy and |
chased from society. And that calnlness. |
that GOODNESS, be did not have-he knew il, |
be felt il.
Nevertheless, he was brave, he wished-the |
thought touched upon in his mind was never /
for with gesture Of despair. insert
ing the pistol in his mouth, De SiSnoles pulled |
the trigger